RARE 1925 ORIGINAL MCKENZIE MITTS

A very nice example of McKenzie Mitts. Unfortunately the high opening bid resulted in no bids.

VERY VERY RARE 1925 ORIGINAL MCKENZIE MITTS PRISON HANDCUFFS LOCK PADLOCK STYLE WE HAVE A WONDERFUL AUCTION ITEM FOR SALE FRESH FROM AN OLD ESTATE THIS SET OF HAND IRONS ARE EXTREMELY RARE SO RARE THAT THERE ARE LESS THEN 40 DOCUMENTED OWNER OF THESE HANDCUFFS ONLY! AND HOUDINI OWNED A SET OF THESE RARE CUFFS AS PART OF HIS COLLECTION. ALSO THE ONLY PATENTED HANDCUFF. SOME PEOPLE CONSIDE THESE THE ULTIMATE CUFF BECAUSE OF THEIR STYLE. MAYBE NOT THE RAREST BUT MOST INTERESTING DESIGN FOR SURE SOMETHING THAT RARE IS A TRUE FIND FOR AMERICAN HISTORY! A TRUE PRIZE TO OWN AND ALSO TO BE ADDED TO THE DOCUMENTED OWNERS LIST . THIS SET IS IN WONDERFUL CONDITION SEEING THAT THEY WERE USED FOR INMATES THE METAL LOOKS TO BE IN GREAT SHAPE ALL SEAMS AND HINDGES ARE TIGHT AND OPEN AND CLOSE SNUG THE LOCKS ARE ALL IN WORKING CONDITION THE SURFACE PAINT HAS SOME DISCOLORING FROM TIME AND SOME WEAR ALL 100 PERCENT ORIGINAL CONDITION AS SHOWN EXCEPT FOR THE KEY. MARKED "PATENTED MARCH 10-25" THIS SET LOOKS TO HAVE HAD VERY LITTLE USE AND STORED INSIDE! ADDED INFO TAKEN FROM THE WEB BELOW

These are the "famous" McKenzie Mitts invented in the mid 1800s by Jacob Mackenzie. These were the first "high security" cuff ever made. The designer Mackenzie was a escort guard and was jumped by a prisoner and shot with his own gun. So he design the Mackenzie mitts. The Mitts lock around the hands and are connected by a small chain. This way a prisoner was not able to use his hands to gain access to keys or a gun. Ultimately, it proved to limit the prisoner's ability to use his hands for basic bodily hygiene (bathroom) while in transit. The guards were not allowed to remove the cuffs for the prisoner when needing the bathroom, you get the idea, the cuffs didnt go over well with the guards. Each Mitt is applied to each hand and connected by a chain. Each mitt has two locks per Mitt. The first lock, locks the Mitt on to the hand, the second is at the end of a fine chain which is used to further reduce the ability to slip out of the Mitts by locking around the wrist. The same key works on all the locks. It is nearly impossible for someone wearing these to use this key even if it were in their possession.

AN ADDED LINK FOR MORE INFO ON THE LINK BELOW FOR POLICE RESTRAINTS  http://www.policeguide.com/Police_Photo_Galleries/Police_Restraints/police_restraints.html - eBay (31 May2012)

This set of McKenzie Mitts had an opening bid of $5,250 (Plus free Shipping) but failed to attract any bidders.
-----

Pawn Stars - McKenzie Mitts for sale

On TV in the US is the show 'Pawn Stars' where people bring items into a pawn shop in Las Vegas to sell. In this episode, a person brings in a pair of McKenzie Mitts to sell:

Part I

Part II

Part III if you are interested.


-----

McKenzie Mitts - Rare Antique Handcuffs

Here is a rare auction for a set of McKenzie Mitts.

Excellent condition, dark blue/black finish, all locks work. No belly chain. Key is an older replacement.

History: This particular pair of McKenzie Mitts originally came from Holyoke, CO. The Sheriff decided to throw them away one day. The Deputy Sheriff went out to the dump the following day and dug them up to put in his collection. They remained in his family for more than 80 years.

Mckenzie Mitts were designed by Jacob Oliver McKenzie. These handcuffs were patented March 10, 1925. In the book "Modern Handcuff Secrets for Magicians" author Dick Norman describes them as follows: "...the mitts were designed to completely enclose the prisoner's hands, which were, in turn, fastened to a belly chain to prevent these unusual cuffs from being used as a weapon. The theory behind this particular pattern was that in the event the guard fell asleep while transporting a prisoner on a long train journey, the prisoner could neither make use of the keys or be able to handle a gun. However, production of this item was stopped after only several dozen pairs were manufactured. The reason...was that these cuffs proved to be too good, making the wearer completely helpless to a point where personal needs could not be taken care of, and accompanying guards highly objected and refused to cooperate to this degree. Since railroads have strict rules about unshackling prisoners during transit, the cuff was used no further, and became the only locking device to be discontinued because it was too good." - eBay (12 Feb 2010)

This set of McKenzie Mitts had a high bid of $5,277 (Plus $35 Shipping). This is the same set that did not sell here.
-----

Replica Mckenzie Handcuffs

Missing this special item from your collection and just can't afford to spend thousands to buy one when they pop up on eBay, well seems that you can purchase a nice replica for a fraction of the cost.

Mckenzie Handcuffs

These are a reproduction of the "famous" McKenzie Mitts invented in the mid 1800s by Jacob Mackenzie. Possibly the first "high security" cuff ever constructed. The designer was a escort guard who was jumped by a prisoner and shot with his own gun during the escape. His response was to design this device.

£299 - link

Very nicely done.
-----

McKenzie Mitts - 1933 Magazine Article

Here is an article on McKenzie Mitts from the October, 1933 edition of Popular Science:

MITTEN HANDCUFFS SECURE CRIMINALS

Only the tips of fingers and thumbs protrude from handcuffs of a new style, invented by a former member of the Canadian Mounted Police, and shown above. Each of the metal gloves is hinged in two leaves equipped with locks. The mitten-shaped handcuffs were devised by the inventor in the belief that the ordinary type makes it possible for a desperate criminal, being transported overland, to attempt to grasp his captor’s gun or attack him with the hands. - MITTEN HANDCUFFS SECURE CRIMINALS, Popular Science (Oct, 1933) - via Modern Mechanix

Click on the label 'McKenzie Mitts' for more posts on this type of restraint.
-----

McKenzie Mitts - Handcuffs

Here is something that very rarely appear for auction on eBay. Too bad the seller started the bidding at what I think is an unrealistic $6,000. Then again, the seller is only looking for one buyer...

Excellent condition, dark blue/black finish, all locks work. No belly chain. Key is an older replacement.

History: This particular pair of McKenzie Mitts originally came from Holyoke, CO. The Sheriff decided to throw them away one day. The Deputy Sheriff went out to the dump the following day and dug them up to put in his collection. They remained in his family for more than 80 years. This is the first time they have been for sale for sale publicly. These will be a great addition to any collection or museum.

Mckenzie Mitts were designed by Jacob Oliver McKenzie. These handcuffs were patented March 10, 1925. In the book "Modern Handcuff Secrets for Magicians" author Dick Norman describes them as follows: "...the mitts were designed to completely enclose the prisoner's hands, which were, in turn, fastened to a belly chain to prevent these unusual cuffs from being used as a weapon. The theory behind this particular pattern was that in the event the guard fell asleep while transporting a prisoner on a long train journey, the prisoner could neither make use of the keys or be able to handle a gun. However, production of this item was stopped after only several dozen pairs were manufactured. The reason...was that these cuffs proved to be too good, making the wearer completely helpless to a point where personal needs could not be taken care of, and accompanying guards highly objected and refused to cooperate to this degree. Since railroads have strict rules about unshackling prisoners during transit, the cuff was used no further, and became the only locking device to be discontinued because it was too good." - eBay (25 March 09)

This set of McKenzie Mitts had an opening bid of $6,000 (Plus $35 Shipping) but failed to attract any bids.

-----
Here is a photo of the McKenzie Mitts in use. They were found on the adult bondage website Shackled Maidens:

-----


-----